The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(123)

“I’m not,” Maria answered, her teeth chattering.

“Strange,” Denman said, shrugging. “I am.”

The tidal wave of pain hit her and shoved her consciousness down into a place of darkness tinged with red. Struggling to remain awake, she gripped his arm. But the red waters of agony swallowed her whole and she faded from the world.



*



“You’ll exit here and head directly to this area. That subway exit is very close to where Maria’s wristlet is reporting they’re holed up,” Lindsey said, pointing to the holographic image projected above the table.

In his armor, Dwayne felt more like a soldier than he had in a long time. His backpack was packed with everything he needed to get to Maria. Petra had even provided weaponry for both of them with silencers.

The holographic image was reflected in the dark eyes of Commandant Pierce as she studied the route Dwayne was taking out of the city. They were the only three in the small room off of the command center. Petra and Vaja had retired to the ready room to eat and rest upon Commandant Pierce’s not-so-subtle hint. Dr. Curran had been assigned quarters inside of the Constabulary and was under guard. Dwayne had not told anyone about their discussion.

“Where does he exit the city?” Commandant Pierce asked.

Lindsey pointed at the subway entrance that was sealed at the bottom of the Constabulary. “I can make sure they don’t detect it opening. Any of the others will take more time.”

“Then I’m willing to risk it.” Commandant Pierce decided. “Once we get Denman and Martinez back inside the city, we’ll be able to secure them inside of the Constabulary for their own protection.”

Lindsey nodded in agreement. “Vaja and I almost have the worm ready that will deliver all the nice goodies about the SWD to every wristlet in the city. I can also, technically, take over the newsfeed.”

Commandant Pierce laughed. “Where did you find her?”

“Lindsey? Her dad and I were friends,” Dwayne answered.

Lindsey glowed under the praise. She was crippled physically, but her mind was her true weapon.

“I think she’s due for a promotion,” Commandant Pierce decided.

“Aw, shucks, ma’am, I mean, sir.” Lindsey blushed.

“So at oh eight hundred hours you can make sure every single person in the city will have all the information?” Dwayne asked.

“Absolutely. Vaja even uncovered the little stash of deleted communiques from Admiral Kirkpatrick to Mr. Petersen where they laid out the entire plan for the coup against the government.” Lindsey’s grin widened. “Add in the Inferi Boon, the manipulation of the food resources, the crippling of the Constabulary-”

“And you have all the steps of a coup d’état.” Commandant Pierce rolled her shoulders and set her hands on her hips. “We have them. Despite their maneuverings, the Constabulary outnumbers them.”

“If we can successfully pull this off, we will have stopped a hostile takeover of the city. The Constabulary will never be under the heel of the SWD again,” Dwayne said confidently.

“So are you ready?” Lindsey asked.

Dwayne snagged the holographic image and dragged it to his wristlet. It loaded onto the device and vanished from the table. “I’m ready.”

“Okay, just one more thing.” Lindsey handed him a small drive. “This will update the program installed on Maria’s and your wristlets. It will also install the new program on Denman’s wristlet. It completely blocks out the signal to the city, but gives you the ability to contact me and each other. If you get stuck out there, just stay low until the dust settles.”

“I’ll send someone out to get you,” Commandant Pierce promised.

Dwayne slightly smiled. “This moment reminds me of why I am proud of be part of the Constabulary.” He saluted the commandant.

Her lips parted in surprise, then returned it. “I always believed in you.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me. Thank you for allowing me to do this.”

“No one else has as much as you on the line. I know you will do your best to save her,” the commandant answered, and a flicker of sadness betrayed her. She was thinking of her husband. Unlike Dwayne, she couldn’t save the one she loved.

Dwayne glanced over at Lindsey. She was studying him with an intense gaze. He felt as if she was hacking into his brain the same way she hacked into computers. With a hitch in her step, she slid into his arms and hugged him tightly. Startled, Dwayne gently embraced her.

The surprise on the commandant’s face was comical, but she shrugged it away.

Pushing Lindsey gently out of his arms, Dwayne said, “Thank you for everything.”

Lips pressed tightly together, Lindsey nodded.

Picking up his helmet, Dwayne headed toward the door. “Petra hates goodbyes. Let her know I left, okay?”

Lindsey nodded again.

“We’ll see you soon,” Commandant Pierce called after him.

Dwayne nodded and ducked out the door into the narrow corridor that would take him to the lift that would deliver him to the lower levels of the Constabulary and the city.





Chapter 35


The old subway tunnel was as black as the darkest depths of the ocean. If not for his helmet’s night vision, Dwayne never would have managed to take one step. There were no external lights of any kind and the darkness was absolute. Lindsey had done exactly as she had promised and unlocked all the blast doors. Now he rode along the old track on a maintenance cart as fast as he dared. The old contraption shook as it rumbled over the ground. The length of time it would take him to pass under the wall and reach the foothills was of some concern. He needed to beat the sunrise.